Agency says license-plate reader information could be misused by the public

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Entrepreneur Michael Robertson wants to know what information the government is storing about the comings and goings of his minivan, and his legal effort is running into opposition from the regional agency that stores the data.

The San Diego Association of Governments says the data from its license plate reader or LPR program could be misused if the public gets access.

“If SANDAG is required to disclose LPR information upon request, it would not be able to prohibit an estranged husband from requesting information on LPR system data for a vehicle registered to him and his estranged wife, and then using that information to lie in wait and then kill or significantly injure the wife,” the agency argues in legal papers.

SANDAG maintains a database of license plates and location as collected by cameras mounted on police cars, as well as certain fixed locations, and police use the information to fight crime. Officers are alerted when cameras spot a vehicle that may be stolen or is associated with a suspect.

Robertson sued SANDAG in May for the information about him after the agency denied his request in March under the California Public Records Act.

Yes
75% (1207)

No
25% (412)

1619 total votes.

Robertson believes government data collection programs tend to “spiral into abuse,” and that police officers could be tempted to target individuals based on their movements (who’s going to the pot dispensary or casino) and use that as the basis for an investigation. Police say the opposite is true, that there must be an investigatory purpose before they access the data.

“It’s always to stop molesters or al-Qaida or something like that,” Robertson said. “The reality is, it’s too easy for people to abuse it. It’s too easy for a government official to take it upon themselves to scrutinize or terrorize citizens. The IRS is just a perfect example of this.

Michael Robertson, of San Diego, wants SANDAG to release the license plate data it's collected on his minivan.
/ U-T

Robertson, a libertarian, is something of an open records activist, having sued both the San Dieguito Union High School District and the Del Mar Union School District for records in the past.

“The average individual, whether they’re a liberal, democratic progressive or a Tea Party member, has an instinctive interest and a deep interest in knowing if their movements are being tracked,” said Robertson’s attorney, Paul Nicholas Boylan.